We are all familiar with the pesky flea and most
people probably don't see them being a major problem with the
exception of the annoying bite but fleas can be a major health issue
for your pet. When a flea or tick bites, they consume some
blood from the dog. There are many cases where dogs and cats
are covered so badly with fleas that they develop a condition called
flea anemia (or tick anemia). Anemia by definition is a
condition where the red blood cell volume is drastically decreased.
If left untreated a severe case of flea or tick anemia could be
fatal.
Another issue that should be of concern is that
fleas can carry tapeworms. The dog will usually bite and eat
the flea and could potentially introduce another problem into his
system.
Treatment for fleas and ticks
There are a lot of great products out there that can help you rid
your home and pet of fleas. In most cases you will want to
contact a professional to treat your home and yard. However
there are a variety of foggers
out there that you can use to treat
your home. Keep in mind that due to the lifecycle of the flea
you may need to retreat your home a couple weeks after the first
treatment.
Here are a few safety tips that you will want to
consider if you do decide to treat your home yourself:
-
Vacuum the carpet before and after treating - you
will want to remove as many flea eggs from the carpet as possible
-
Remove food, water dishes and other consumable
products from your home.
-
Move toys and bedding to a safe location
-
Always read the label and follow the directions of
the product that you use
-
Always consult with your vet if you have any
questions regarding the safety of the product that you decide to
use.
Your home is not the only thing that you need to
consider treating for fleas. Your pet will need to be treated around
the same time as your home. The majority of the adult fleas
will most likely be on your pet so if your dog is not treated you
will not be able to break the cycle.
There are a variety of products out there to help
you treat fleas on your pet.
Flea dips and other products, such as
Advantage, can successfully rid your dog of fleas. The key is
to follow the directions and make sure that the product you use is
the right one for your pet.
Fleas and Ticks
